Member-only story
[The mini-series “Mount Bliss” continues from “Alliterative Agony.”]
The next morning, Sunday, Lo was very slow to wake up. I, like clockwork, was up with the sunrise at around 5:30. Very gently and stealthily, I extricated myself from her naked embrace and found some clothes to slip into before sneaking out of the room in search of coffee. Lo is my drug of choice, but caffeine is my drug of necessity. Without it first thing in the morning, I develop a terrible headache, become susceptible to intrusive thoughts, and can be very unpleasant company.
In those newly minted minutes of the morning, the sun from yonder horizon streamed into the various windows of the “cottage,” designed perfectly to catch that brisk, new day aura. I was glad to have my alone time and, even better, I had discovered Collin’s very fancy, very expensive Italian espresso, cappuccino, and coffee brewing machine.
I made myself a steaming mug and went outside to take in the fresh air comingled with the aroma of the rich, calming coffee. A deep breath in and a long exhale out. For a moment, all the drama of the previous night seemed as unreal as a dream. I looked out over the light shimmering on the waves of the lake and felt as if everything was reborn that morning.
Just as I was taking it all in, feeling good about myself and my choice to join Lo and company up in…